Cycling · International
Vernon wins shortened Willunga stage
Heat and fire danger forced organisers to remove the Willunga Hill ascents.
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Ethan Vernon won the fourth road stage of the Tour Down Under in an uphill bunch sprint in Willunga. The NSN Cycling rider finished ahead of Tobias Lund Andresen and Laurence Pithie, earning his first stage victory at the Australian race.
Organisers shortened the stage to 131 kilometres and advanced the start because of extreme fire danger and temperatures forecast to reach 43 degrees. The route retained its Brighton start but omitted the two planned Willunga Hill climbs.
Jay Vine kept the overall lead during a difficult day for UAE Team Emirates XRG. Jhonatan Narvaez crashed and left the race, while Vegard Stake Laengen also abandoned, reducing the leader’s available support before the final stage.
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